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Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Bengaluru's ride-hailing apps replace ‘advance tip' with ‘voluntary' tag after minister Pralhad Joshi's criticism
1 2 Bengaluru: Your ride wasn't booked, but the aggregator app already wanted a tip? Well, things just got slightly more polite. Days after Union minister Pralhad Joshi asked Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to investigate why ride-hailing apps were nudging users for tips before the ride even began, a new word has quietly rolled into the app interface: 'Voluntary tip'. Platforms like Namma Yatri and Ola seem to have heard the buzz and the backlash. Now, when users are booking a ride, the advance tip option comes with a little label that spells out its nature loud and clear: Voluntary. Riders can skip the tip, and the app won't hold their ride. Uber, on the other hand, has not introduced a "voluntary" label, but appears to have reduced the frequency with which the advance tip prompt appears during the booking process. While the option remains part of the app, it is now shown less prominently, possibly as a way to soften the user experience without making direct changes to the interface. Many users said the change does make a difference. Priya Srisha, 34, a resident of Indiranagar, said, "I use ride-hailing apps almost every day to commute to work. A few weeks ago, I noticed the app was asking for a tip before the ride even started. It felt odd; how do I know if the service deserves a tip before the driver has even shown up? But now, after the update, there's a small label next to the tip box that says 'voluntary'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo That word makes a big difference. I no longer feel guilty for skipping it. Before this, it almost felt like tipping was part of the fare." Suresh R, 42, a resident of Bellandur, said, "I use both Ola and Uber. Ola now makes it clearer that tip is optional, calling it voluntary. Earlier, I thought not tipping might affect my chances of getting a good driver or lead to cancellation, especially during peak hours. But now, the app continues to the next screen even if I don't add a tip. Uber seems to have stopped showing the advance tip as often; it used to pop up almost every time, now it's more scattered. It's a welcome change, honestly. Tipping should be based on the ride experience, not a pre-condition." Uber was unavailable for comments on the matter. Tip in advance unethical, exploitative: Minister Prahalad Joshi posted on X, saying, "The practice of 'Advance Tip' is deeply concerning. Forcing or nudging users to pay a tip in advance, for faster service is unethical and exploitative. Such actions fall under unfair trade practices. Tip is given as a token of appreciation not as a matter of right, after the service. Taking cognisance of this, I had asked CCPA to look into it and today CCPA has issued a notice to Uber in this regard, seeking explanation from the platform. Fairness, transparency and accountability must be upheld in all customer interactions." As an update to this issue, he tweeted, "CCPA is investigating other apps, they will also be served notice if they are found indulging in such practices."
India.com
2 days ago
- Business
- India.com
E-commerce Giants Remove Walkie-Talkie Listings After Govt Cracks Down On Illegal Sales
New Delhi: Major e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, JioMart, Meta, and Chimiya, have removed several walkie-talkie product listings following new government rules to prevent the illegal sale of radio communication equipment online. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, recently issued detailed guidelines to regulate how such devices are listed and sold on online marketplaces. The move comes in response to rising concerns about unregulated walkie-talkies that can interfere with critical communication networks like those used by police and emergency services. The new rules, titled 'Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Illegal Listing and Sale of Radio Equipment including Walkie Talkies on E-Commerce Platforms, 2025,' were created in consultation with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). They aim to protect consumers and the national communication infrastructure by ensuring only authorised and properly certified equipment is available for sale. Many walkie-talkies previously sold online lacked clear information about the legal need for a wireless operating license. Listings often omitted key technical details such as frequency range, regulatory approvals, or whether the product required a license under laws like the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, or the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933. This led to buyers being misled into believing they could freely use such devices without restrictions. Under the new guidelines, online platforms are now required to clearly mention whether a walkie-talkie requires a license, display approved frequency ranges, and provide valid regulatory certifications such as Equipment Type Approval (ETA). Listings that fail to meet these standards must be taken down, and misleading advertisements are strictly prohibited. The CCPA has previously flagged over 16,000 such product listings and issued 13 notices to major platforms for violating consumer protection laws. The new guidelines strengthen enforcement, set out penalties for violations, and hold both sellers and platforms responsible for compliance.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Centre Cracks Down On Unauthorised Walkie-Talkie Sales. Here's Why
New Delhi: Amid heightened security concerns after the Pahalgam terror attack, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has released detailed guidelines and issued notices to prevent the unauthorised sale of radio equipment, including walkie-talkies, on e-commerce platforms. The notices have been sent to 12 major platforms, asking them to delist non-compliant products after a preliminary investigation revealed hundreds of listings that failed to disclose crucial regulatory details. In response to the notice, leading platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Meta (Facebook), and Chimiya have delisted all walkie-talkie products flagged in the notice. Platforms like Talk Pro and MakMan Toys, however, had not delisted the products till the time of publishing, raising concerns over non-compliance. IndiaMart also continues to host such listings and no public response has been issued by OLX, Krishna Mart, VardaanMart, or TradeIndia. New Guidelines The fresh guidelines by the CCPA, issued on Friday, are aimed at the "prevention and regulation of illegal listing and sale of radio equipment" on digital platforms. The authority highlighted that many of these devices - commonly marketed as walkie-talkies - could interfere with critical communication networks, including those used by law enforcement and emergency services. It also raised red flags over consumer safety and the absence of disclosures regarding wireless licensing requirements under Indian law. The key violations identified included a lack of information on required wireless operating licences, absence of technical details like frequency bands and regulatory approvals and misleading advertisements suggesting unrestricted use. An earlier investigation by the Department of Consumer Affairs had found over 450 such listings on Amazon and Meesho, and over 300 on Flipkart. Under the new guidelines, platforms must list only authorised and compliant devices, clearly mention frequency bands and technical specs, provide proof of regulatory certification, remove listings lacking this information, and avoid any misleading descriptions. Violators could face penalties under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, including fines and legal action. The government's intensified focus on such equipment follows the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which raised concerns over the use of unauthorised communication tools in sensitive regions.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Dark Pattern Guidelines: Govt warns E-Commerce platforms to comply or face action
Rohit Mehta is an Indian blogger, author and entrepreneur. He owns a blog named Digital Gabbar which is Available in English & Hindi. Rohit has been in the digital marketing and IT sector for over 10 years. He can be reached at Facebook, Instagram or Twitter (@bloggermehta). LESS ... MORE India's digital economy is booming, but so are deceptive online practices. To combat manipulative design tactics, the Indian government has issued a strong warning to e-commerce and digital service platforms: follow dark pattern guidelines or face legal action. This marks a major move by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to ensure fair trade practices and protect Indian consumers from digital deception. What are dark patterns? Dark patterns are deceptive user interface designs intended to mislead or manipulate users into actions they might not take otherwise. These include tactics like: False urgency : Creating fake time pressure (e.g., 'only 1 left!'). Basket sneaking : Adding items or services to a shopping cart without explicit consent. Bait and switch : Promoting one offer and then replacing it with another. Drip pricing : Revealing additional charges only at the final step of checkout. Subscription traps : Making it hard to cancel or opt-out of subscriptions. Such practices have now been officially categorised as unfair trade practices under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. Government mandate: Audit and submit reports Union Minister Pralhad Joshi announced that all digital platforms must audit their apps and websites for these manipulative elements. The audit reports must be submitted to the Department of Consumer Affairs. To enforce compliance, the government will form a joint working group that will monitor digital platforms and take necessary actions if violations are found. 'If they do not follow the guidelines, action will be taken as per the law,' — Pralhad Joshi Dark pattern guidelines by CCPA In November 2023, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued a comprehensive framework to curb dark patterns. These guidelines aim to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in digital transactions. Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare shared that: The CCPA has issued 11 notices for dark pattern violations. Over 400 notices have been issued for broader unfair trade practices. Quick-commerce and ride-hailing platforms are now under closer scrutiny. Sectors under the scanner Dark patterns are not limited to e-commerce alone. Several sectors have come under the government's radar: Ride-hailing apps Education & streaming platforms Govt launches Jagriti App for consumers To empower consumers, the Ministry has launched the Jagriti App and Dashboard, enabling users to: Report dark pattern practices Understand their digital rights Stay updated on government actions The bigger picture: Accountability in the digital age With over 50+ digital platforms already being addressed, India's latest move signals a robust push for ethical design, transparent pricing, and consumer-first policies in online services. The warning is clear—manipulative designs have no place in India's digital future. Final thoughts The introduction and enforcement of dark pattern guidelines is a major step toward creating a safe and trustworthy digital environment in India. E-commerce, streaming, ride-hailing, and education platforms must now prioritise ethical user experience design or be prepared to face legal consequences. As the government strengthens consumer protection measures, platforms must shift their focus from manipulation to genuine value creation. If you're a consumer and notice suspicious app behavior, report it through the Jagriti App today. Awareness is your first shield against digital deception. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget : What are ‘dark patterns' in e-commerce? A must-know for your UPSC prep
What is the government's stand against the ' dark patterns' in e-commerce? Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today. (Relevance: The government has taken several steps for consumer protection, from enacting the Consumer Protection Act to launching the app for easing the filing of cases. In this regard, it becomes essential to understand the growing concern around 'dark patterns' in e-commerce for your UPSC exam preparation.) To identify and eliminate dark patterns on e-commerce platforms, the government has asked e-commerce platforms to regularly conduct an audit on their platforms. 'Companies must not wait for the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to intervene. They should proactively recognize and remove these deceptive practices before notices are issued. This is not regulatory compliance: it's about building trust with your consumers,' said Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi. 1. Dark patterns, also known as deceptive patterns, is the term used to describe the ways in which websites or apps make their users do things that the users do not intend to do or would not otherwise do, as well as to discourage user behaviour that is not beneficial for the companies. 2. Understand 'dark pattern' through example: Think of that annoying advertisement that keeps popping up on your screen, and you can't find the cross mark 'X' to make it go away because the mark is too small to notice (or to click/ tap). Worse, when you try to click/ tap on the tiny 'X', you sometimes end up tapping the ad instead. 3. The term dark patterns was coined by Harry Brignull, a London-based user experience (UX) designer, in 2010. The Internet is replete with examples of dark patterns. On December 1, 2023, the CCPA issued guidelines for the 'prevention and regulation' of dark patterns. It has specified 13 dark patterns. (i) False urgency: Creates a sense of urgency or scarcity to pressure consumers into making a purchase or taking an action. It includes showing false popularity of a product or service to manipulate user decisions or stating that quantities of a particular product or service are more limited than they actually are. (ii) Basket sneaking: Dark patterns are used to add additional products or services to the shopping cart without the user's consent. (iii) Confirm shaming: Uses guilt to make consumers adhere; criticises or attacks consumers for not conforming to a particular belief or viewpoint. (iv) Forced action: Pushes consumers into taking an action they may not want to take, such as signing up for a service in order to access content. (v) Nagging: User is disrupted and annoyed by repeated and persistent interactions, in the form of requests, information, options, or interruptions, to effectuate a transaction and make some commercial gains, unless specifically permitted by the user. (vi) Subscription traps: Easy to sign up for a service but difficult to quit or cancel; option is hidden or requires multiple steps; forcing a user to provide payment details or authorization for auto debits for availing a free subscription; or making the instructions related to cancellation of subscription ambiguous, latent, confusing, cumbersome. (vii) Bait & switch: Advertising a certain product/ service but delivering another, often of lower quality; (viii) Rogue Malwares: Using a ransomware or scareware to mislead or trick user into believing there is a virus on their computer and aims to convince them to pay for a fake malware removal tool that actually installs malware on their computer. (ix) Disguised ads: Designed to look like content, such as news articles or user-generated content. (x) Interface interference: Manipulate the user interface in a way that highlights certain specific information and obscures other obscures other relevant information relative to the other information; to misdirect a user from taking an action as desired. (xi) Drip pricing: A 'dark pattern' practice whereby elements of prices are not revealed upfront or are revealed surreptitiously within the user experience, or revealing the price post-confirmation of purchase, or a product or service is advertised as free without appropriate disclosure of the fact that the continuation of use requires in-app purchase. (xii) Trick Question: Deliberate use of confusing or vague language like confusing wording, double negatives, or other similar tricks, in order to misguide or misdirect a user from taking the desired action or leading the consumer to take a specific response or action. (xiii) Saas billing: Generating and collecting payments from consumers on a recurring basis in a software as a service (SaaS) business model by exploiting positive acquisition loops in recurring subscriptions to get money from users as surreptitiously as possible. Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) and UI/UX design company Parallel HQ Study 📍According to the study published by ASCI and UI/UX in August 2024, over 79 per cent of Indian apps trick users into giving away their personal data. It identified dark patterns in more than 50 Indian apps across sectors such as e-commerce, health, and fintech as well as cab-booking services and delivery platforms, with a total of 21 billion downloads. 📍It found that a majority of dark patterns were used by travel booking apps like Goibibo, MakeMyTrip and EaseMyTrip followed by delivery and logistics apps such as Zomato, Swiggy, Zepto, Borzo, etc. 📍E-commerce apps like Amazon, Flipkart, and Nykaa, among others, make it difficult for their users to delete their account, the study found. Additionally, four out of five health tech apps rushed users into making decisions through a tactic known as False Urgency. 1. CCPA is is being constituted under Section 10(1) of The Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The Act replaced the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, and seeks to widen its scope in addressing consumer concerns. It has come into force w.e.f 24th July 2020. It aims to protect the rights of the consumer by cracking down on unfair trade practices, and false and misleading advertisements that are detrimental to the interests of the public and consumers. 2. CCPA has the power to inquire or investigate into matters relating to violations of consumer rights or unfair trade practices suo motu, or on a complaint received, or on a direction from the central government. 3. The Act provides that the CCPA consists of a Chief Commissioner and such number of other Commissioners as may be prescribed, to be appointed by the Central Government to exercise the powers and discharge the functions under this Act. 4. The power to make rules to provide for the qualifications for appointment, term of office, salaries and allowances, resignation, removal, and other terms and conditions of the service of the Chief Commissioner and Commissioners of the Central Authority is bestowed upon the Central government. 5. The CCPA also has an Investigation Wing that is headed by a Director General. District Collectors, too, have the power to investigate complaints of violations of consumer rights, unfair trade practices, and false or misleading advertisements. Consider the following statements: 1. Dark pattern is a deceptive attempt made by e-commerce platforms to make users do things that they otherwise wouldn't. 2. 'Saas billing' is identified as a dark pattern by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA). 3. In the 'Bait and Switch' dark pattern, elements of prices are not revealed upfront or are revealed post-confirmation of purchase. How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for May 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
